The Isefjord and East Jutland blue shell fishery in Denmark will be assessed against the MSC standard for sustainable fishing.
It is joining a larger group of Danish fisheries who have already entered the MSC programme. In August 2009, the Danish fishing industry committed to having all its fisheries certified by the end of 2012.
The Isefjord and East Jutland blue shell mussel fishery takes place in the Southern Kattegat and Belt Sea. The mussels are fished using dredges all year around but most intensively during the period mid-July to January. There are currently six licenses for the East Jutland fishery and two for the Isefjord. Wittrup Seafood Company has commissioned the MSC assessment and currently operates two vessels. Products are fresh mussels and are mainly exported to mainland Europe.
Stig Wittrup of Wittrup Seafood Company says: “There is an increasing demand for MSC labelled products amongst our customers and Wittrup Seafood is applying for MSC certification to meet that demand. It is a way for us to both secure the future of our business and demonstrate our sustainable fishing practices.”
